The Apollo 11 house outside of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/santiago">Santiago</a> was designed as a space ship that silently descends into the forest leaving minimal impact. It is as though the house could then take off at any time leaving no trace behind. At least that's what Arquitectos Parra + Edwards had in mind when designing the two story home. Relying on <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/solar-passive-design">solar passive design</a>, the box house takes advantage of the sun in winter months for heating and the shade of trees in the summer to stay cool.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

The home is organized on two levels with 6 x 9 meter floors, each 6 meters high.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

This rectangular shape was inspired by Japanese architecture and based on the theory that rectangles are the only element that disappear in nature.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

The grid structure is constructed of metal plates with the spaces filled with either glass or wood.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

The forest space ship serves as an architecture workshop, recording studio and rehearsal room for acoustic and electric music.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

The north facade is fully glass and takes in the heat during the winter months when the trees are without leaves.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Thermal energy is stored on both floors to help keep the home a constant temperature.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

In the summer, the trees are bursting with leaves and provide shade for the home.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Meanwhile the south side of the home features both wood and glass panels to retain heat, but the facades can be changed throughout the year depending on what the forest is doing.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Built to have minimal impact on the forest, the home is merely an observation point and in theory could easily be removed without leaving a trace.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Musically inclined living room on the ground floor.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Stairs leading to the upstairs bedrooms.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Ground and first level floor plans.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

Site plan of Apollo 11 house.

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Apollo 11 House-Parraedwards Arquitectos

The Apollo 11 house outside of Santiago was designed as a space ship that silently descends into the forest leaving minimal impact. It is as though the house could then take off at any time leaving no trace behind. At least that's what Arquitectos Parra + Edwards had in mind when designing the two story home. Relying on solar passive design, the box house takes advantage of the sun in winter months for heating and the shade of trees in the summer to stay cool.